Chapter 69: Switching Cultivation Techniques

The next day, Han Yi visited the Azure Dragon Palace and selected a cultivation technique from the Scripture Pavilion.

According to the Profound Pill Sect's regulations, Inner Sect Disciples were granted one opportunity to switch their cultivation technique upon promotion. This was because most Outer Peak Disciples, who typically cultivated introductory techniques like the Fire Pill Profound Art in the early stages of Qi Refining, found these methods insufficient to keep pace with their progress once they reached the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, necessitating a change to more advanced techniques.

Han Yi's primary Spirit Root was of the Fire Attribute, limiting his choices to Fire Attribute techniques.

Moreover, since he hadn't formally joined a master's lineage on the Inner Peak but was merely affiliated with Bai Wanqing's faction, the decision of which technique to adopt fell entirely on his shoulders.

Fortunately, during the recent Inner Peak Great Competition, Han Yi had seized the opportunity to observe Inner Peak Disciples sparring near the Combat Arena and discreetly sought advice from senior brothers who were also spectating. Through these observations and subtle inquiries, he had identified several promising techniques.

One was the Fire Astral Profound Art, a gentle and highly compatible advanced technique from the same lineage as the Fire Pill Profound Art. It could be practiced directly until the Foundation Establishment Stage, after which one could switch to other Fire Attribute Foundation Establishment techniques from the same lineage.

Another was the Star-Slaying Immortal Canon, a two-part manual. The upper volume was suitable for Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivation, while the lower volume was designed for the Foundation Establishment Stage. Disciples who cultivated this canon gained an advantage in mastering Sword Control Techniques, but at the cost of slower progress in their cultivation realm compared to other techniques.

The Burning Heaven Art was a cultivation technique renowned for its overwhelming power and aggressive nature. Han Yi had personally witnessed an Inner Peak Senior Brother at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement defeat a Ninth Layer disciple using this technique, a testament to its exceptional combat enhancement capabilities.

After careful deliberation, Han Yi decided to choose the Fire Astral Profound Art, a gentler and more versatile cultivation technique known for its compatibility with various cultivation paths.

Han Yi's Sword Control Technique relied entirely on the Proficiency Template for advancement. Even if the Star-Slaying Immortal Canon offered a superior boost to sword techniques, it couldn't surpass the raw proficiency gained through the template. Moreover, with no visible upper limit to his proficiency growth, Han Yi had no need to worry about stagnating in sword cultivation.

Most importantly, Han Yi's primary weakness lay in his cultivation realm. Pursuing a technique that might further delay his progress would be counterproductive.

As for the Burning Heaven Art, while its power was undeniable, it had a significant drawback: during combat, it consumed far more mana than other techniques.

Han Yi's existing cultivation practices—the Sword Control Technique, Spirit Void Finger, and Fire Shield Technique—already strained his mana allocation. Adding another mana-hungry technique would push his limits beyond endurance.

An hour later, Han Yi emerged from the Scripture Pavilion of Azure Dragon Palace with a one-time-use Technique Transmission Jade Disk nestled in his storage pouch.

Upon returning to his courtyard, Han Yi immediately pressed the jade disk to his forehead. A complete Immortal Path cultivation technique poured into his mind, and in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he had thoroughly grasped it.

A week later, Han Yi opened his eyes and looked at the Proficiency Panel before him, which had already updated:

Cultivation Technique: Fire Astral Profound Art (Entry Level 1/100)

Han Yi's heart leaped with joy.

Finally, I've advanced to a higher-tier cultivation technique!

According to the jade disk's description, the Fire Astral Profound Art amplified mana refinement and Spirit Qi absorption by approximately threefold compared to the Fire Pill Profound Art. However, this advanced technique could only be practiced by cultivators at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining.

Han Yi wondered why such a superior technique couldn't be taught to those in the early or mid-stages of Qi Refining. Wouldn't that accelerate their cultivation speed by at least threefold? He voiced this question to the Senior Disciple steward who had given him the Technique Transmission Jade Disk at the Scripture Pavilion.

The steward merely glanced at him.

"An Immortal's body gradually increases its capacity for mana. If someone in the early stages of Qi Refining were to practice this technique, their mana would inevitably surge out of control, leading to bodily damage at best and explosive death at worst."

"It's like a mortal eating. A person can only eat as many bowls of rice as their stomach allows. If they ignore their stomach's limits and keep stuffing food into their mouth, they might be full, but they'll easily overeat and die."

"This principle," Han Yi reflected, "mirrors the Immortal Path itself. Excess is as detrimental as deficiency; haste makes waste."

He thanked the steward, a newfound understanding dawning in his heart.

After switching to his Main Cultivation Technique, Han Yi formally entered a period of secluded cultivation.

Over five months later, the Outer Peak Grand Competition concluded, selecting its top one hundred participants. The rewards for these elites were exceptionally enticing, even stirring Han Yi's resolve when he heard of them.

However, he had already broken through and neither could nor wished to return to his previous state.

Half a year later, another wave of events arose.

The Profound Pill Sect and the Primal Beast Sect jointly organized a grand competition in Luofeng County, generating immense fanfare. This time, the competition would begin at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, with separate tracks for each cultivation stage to determine the most outstanding talents in each tier.

Han Yi occasionally ventured out and heard the news, but remained unmoved.

His cultivation resources were currently abundant. Azure Dragon Peak, with its Fourth-Tier Spirit Vein, ensured he lacked neither wealth, companions, techniques, nor suitable land—the essential components of the Immortal Path. His cultivation progressed steadily, and he felt himself improving daily.

In addition to focusing on advancing his cultivation realm, Han Yi dedicated half his time to grinding proficiency in his techniques:

Sword Control Technique, Alchemy Technique, Talisman Crafting Art, Spirit Void Finger, Fire Shield Technique, Turtle Breath Technique, and Light Body Technique.

Han Yi had initially considered mastering more techniques, but upon reflection, he realized that the seven he already possessed kept him busy enough. Diluting his focus further by adding another technique would inevitably lead to diminishing returns.

It would be wiser to first grind these seven techniques to the next level.

In particular, the Sword Control Technique and Spirit Void Finger were his most potent offensive spells, complementing each other perfectly.

With these two techniques at the Perfected Purity level, Han Yi was confident he could defeat ordinary Eighth Layer Qi Refinement cultivators. Unless he encountered someone like the Malevolent Youth from Heavenfall City, who wielded a Top-Grade Magic Artifact, he was certain of victory.

Even at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement, he had been able to slay multiple Seventh Layer opponents. Now at the Seventh Layer, failing to defeat ordinary Eighth Layer cultivators would render his entire Late-Stage Qi Refinement advancement meaningless.

Theoretically, the gap between the Sixth and Seventh Layers of Qi Refinement was far greater than that between the Seventh and Eighth Layers.

Having advanced to Late-Stage Qi Refinement, Han Yi was confident he could hold his own against ordinary Ninth Layer cultivators.

Only against peak Ninth Layer cultivators did he believe he would inevitably fall short.

This wasn't mere speculation. Han Yi had observed hundreds of duels at the Inner Peak Great Competition on Combat Peak, drawing these conclusions from firsthand observation.

Meanwhile, the Joint Great Competition between the Profound Pill Sect and the Primal Beast Sect had concluded after three months.

The Primal Beast Sect, rather than specializing in one of the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation, focused primarily on beast taming. Their combat prowess largely depended on their contracted demon beasts, rivaling even the Blood God Sect, notorious for their perennial battles against the demonic creatures of the forbidden Blood River.

Rumor had it that the two sects had strengthened their ties after the competition and were planning further joint initiatives.

Han Yi, hearing this news at the market, belatedly remarked with a sigh, "The Profound Pill Sect has some truly shrewd strategists."

This policy was a two-pronged approach, addressing both internal and external concerns.

Internally, it aimed to bolster the sect's combat strength, likely extending beyond the Qi Refining Stage to possibly target Foundation Establishment cultivators. This was Han Yi's speculation, but he was almost certain it was true.

Externally, it involved forging an alliance with the Primal Beast Sect, and potentially other sects, establishing preliminary cooperative ties.

The Primal Beast Sect lay east of the Profound Pill Mountain Range. Should the Blood God Sect annihilate the Profound Pill Sect, they would immediately face the Primal Beast Sect. This Golden Core Sect likely shared these concerns, leading them to eagerly join forces with the Profound Pill Sect.

After his moment of reflection, Han Yi resumed his cultivation.

While the outside world underwent tumultuous changes, within his courtyard, spring reigned eternal.

In the blink of an eye, three years had passed since his breakthrough to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.